Dougie loses locks for Bluebell Wood

Dougie Flockhart

The all-time leading point-scorer for Doncaster Knights rugby club is going to say goodbye to his flowing locks for Bluebell Wood.

Dougie Flockhart, the most capped professional player of the 2016/17 season, will be letting the winner of a raffle shave his head at Castle Park on 17 February. All sponsorship money raised will go to Bluebell Wood.

Dougie will not be the only person losing their hair, as his friend Louise Tuczemskyi, a yoga teacher and mum to an under-11s Doncaster rugby player, is set to join him after the Knights’ Championship clash with Hartpury RFC. Both will be donating their hair to the Little Princess Trust.

Dougie with Louise’s son Jonah

The ‘Brave the Shave’ event will include the raffle and a four-mile fun run/walk from Castle Park before the game. Knights’ winger Dougie, who has been growing his hair for the last two years, was inspired to fundraise for South Yorkshire’s only children’s hospice after his own family’s experience.

Dougie said: “In 2015 I rushed home to Scotland after being told my little sister was in hospital with a suspected brain tumour. For the next 24 hours, we as a family felt what countless families feel every day around the world. Thankfully, my sister was later diagnosed with a less serious condition known as a cavernoma. After a long recovery, she raised money and donated her hair to charity. I pledged to do the same. We’re aiming to raise £4,000 for Bluebell Wood but hope that everyone will dig deep on the day to help the total go even higher.”

Louise said: “I spent 15 years nursing the terminally ill and watched my best friend lose her hair three times during her fight with cancer. She would never let me shave my head though. I think this is the least I can do to honour her memory and show support to people fighting their own battles. When all is said my hair will grow back.”

Sally Baker, Community Fundraising Manager, Bluebell Wood, said: “We’re immensely grateful to Dougie and Louise for giving up their hair to raise money for Bluebell Wood. Every penny raised can make a big difference to our families, helping them to make special memories, whether they have days, months or years left together.”

The fun run/walk, which starts at Castle Park at 9.30am on 17 February will follow a route marshalled by members of Danum Harriers. Entry is £15 for adults and £10 for under 16s with all profits going to Bluebell Wood. Entrants will be given a special edition t-shirt designed by students of the XP School and free entry to the Doncaster Knights vs Hartpury RFC game.